Homemade Laundry Soap

One way I REALLY save money is by making my own laundry soap. I've been making my own laundry soap for close to a year now and LOVE it! It works well, smells great and for about $2 I can make 7 bottles of soap!

Here is the recipe.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine-

4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* (Washing Soda NOT baking soda)
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. (I grate mine with a cheese grate. I tried my food processor but it didn't work so well. lol)

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Next Day:
-Fill  laundry bottles 3/4 way full and finish with water. Shake well before each use as soap will gel.

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled

 have heard some people use Ivory soap instead but I think the Fels-Napatha bar works so much better!

Cost:
Less than $2 for 7 bottles.

Country Mart 10 for $10 Sale

CountryMart is having a 10 for $10 sale this weekend. 

Items in red are the ones I found to be the Coziest of deals. What were your favorites? 

• Hormel Sasage
• Highland Sour Cream
• Lunchables
• DelMonte fruit cups
• Baby Carrotts
• Best Choice toilet paper
• Karr Rice or Pasta Sides
• Lay's Stax Chips
• Best Choice Facial Tissue
• Best Choice Beef Tamales
• Crutons
• Dawn Dish Soap (use $0.25 off from P&G doubles to $0.50 = $0.50 per bottle)
• Spaghetti O's
• Progresso Soup 
• Hiland Pint Chocolate Milk
• Betty Crocker Potatoes
• Best Choice Ravioli
• Best Choice cheese crackers
• Ore Ida Fries
• Corn Tortillas
• Hostess Snacks
• Best Choice Ketchup
• Tomato Juice
• Red Gold Tomatoes
• Jambalaya Rice
• Ro Tel
• Birds Eye frozen Vegies
• V05 
• Hand Soap
• Hand Santitiser
• Coffee Filters

HOT Walmart SALE!!

Walmart has some AWESOME clearance deals right now!

Shirts like pictured above come with the shirt and some type of toy. This one came with an AM/FM radio, others have video games, watches..  on clearance for $3!

Swimming shorts on sale $4. It won't be winter forever!!

P.J's $5 

Plus lots of other clothing items ranging $2.50-$5.00! 

This is a great time to stock up on some clothes/gifts! Check it out!

Week 4 Results $44.91 worth for $18.81

My children and myself have been super sick this week. That along with the fact that my college classes have started back up, I didn't do too much shopping this week.

Still feeling really under the weather so I'll just post the totals this week with a few highlights.

Always liners- Free as "always" hehe from Sunday paper
T-shirts GREAT clearance buy at Walmart (I'll be doing a post on this) $3 and came with a game/radio
Slow cooker liners- excited to try these $0.97 after coupon


Total Before coupons $44.91
My Price: $18.81 ($7.47 was for the pull ups)
Total Saved: $26.10

Total Saved This Year: $163.24

A reader asked about Walmart's coupon policy. Walmart has a great coupon policy. They do not double coupons, but they do allow OVERAGE and will even give you money BACK! SWEET! It is a good idea to print off store coupon policies to have with you in case you have a difficult cashier. CLICK HERE for a PDF of the Walmart Coupon Policy. (click on download at the bottom of the page)

Here is what Walmart says about their coupon policy.

Walmart Coupon Policy

We gladly accept the following types of coupons*

• Print-at-home internet coupons
  • Must be legible
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
  • Are acceptable in black and white or color
  • May not be duplicated
• Manufacturers' coupons
  • For dollar/cents off
  • For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • May not be duplicated
• Competitors' coupons
  
  • A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
  • Have a valid expiration date
  • Are acceptable in black and white
• Soft drink container caps
• Checkout coupons ("Catalinas")
  • Printed at our competitors' registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific item requirements printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Are acceptable in black and white
  • May not be duplicated

We DO NOT accept the following coupons:

• Checkout coupons
  • Dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase
  • Percentage off the entire basket purchase
• Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
• Competitors' coupons
  • Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
  • Percentage off
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without a specified price
  • Double- or triple-value coupons

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
• Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
• Only one coupon per item.
• Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).
• There is no limit on the number of coupons per transaction.
• Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
• If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.
• SNAP items purchased in a SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back.
• WIC items purchased in a WIC transaction are applied to the basket purchase and may not be eligible for cash back. Refer to state-specific WIC guidelines.
• Great Value, Marketside, Equate, Parents Choice, and World Table coupons have no cash value and are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
• The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
  • 40 coupons per transaction.
  • A coupon of $20 or greater on one item.
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction.
  
  Source: Walmart Coupon Policy

Give Back & Pirate Pantry

Okay first an apology and warning to all my readers. Sorry for the lack of posts. College has started back up and kids have been sick. Just been busy. Now for the warning. I'm sitting here blogging with a temp of 101*, my head is stuffed up, body is cold then hot, and I'm all doped up on cold medicine. So hopefully when I awake in the morning this blog will make some type of sense. lol...

What Do We Do With All That Stuff and Giving Back

I'm a firm believer of giving back. If the Lord gives you a talent. Share it! This week my son Connor came home with a letter from school wanting parents to help support The Pirate Pantry. The Pirate Pantry is a backpack program that provides non perishable foods to families in need. Typically the bags of food are provided each Friday and before holiday breaks. 

This is such an amazing outreach and I see it bringing all kinds of positive results. As couponers we can help a lot with just a little. Why not donate a few of those items that you got for free or extremely cheap. Where as most shoppers give around $3 for a tube of toothpaste I know that at the very least I can get 12 tubes for that cost. 

The point is to give back. Help others and who better to help than children! 

If you would like to donate to the Pirate Pantry you can e-mail them at piratespantry@norwood.k12.mo.us. You are also welcome to contact myself and I will bring any donations up to them. 

If you aren't in our area find out if your local school has a similar program to donate to. 

Here are the items that they are in need of: 

• Oatmeal Packets
• Small Individual Serving Cereal Boxes
• 100% Juice Boxes
• Applesauce Cups
• Canned Vegetable Soup
• Canned vegetable soup
• Snack Sized Potato Chips
• Pudding Cups
• Granola Bars
• Snack Size Peanut Pkts
• Crackers Peanut butter or cheese
• Ramen Noodles
• Easy Mac & Cheese
• Hot Chocolate mix
• Large Cereal Boxes 
• Canned Beefaroni 

Hygiene  Items:
Provided Once Per Quarter

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes

Springfield News Leader Coupons Jan 22

Well, as always our most local Sunday paper failed to give over half of the available coupons in different regions. GRR. Oh well, we get what we can and we make the most of it.

Here is what came in my first Sunday paper. I have a couple people that sometimes give me the coupons from theirs so hopefully there will be more. Sunday Paper preview reported two inserts in this weeks paper Smart Source and Red Plum. However mine only came with one Smart Source.

Here's the coupons:

Pepsi $2/2 multi-pack bottles or mini cans
 Lays $0.55 off Lays Chips and dip
Yoplait $0.50/ 2 32oz yogurt
Yoplait $0.50/ 2 Greek yogurt
Betty Crocker $0.75 off cake mix and frosting
Cheerios $1/2
Wolf Chili $0.40
Ludens $1/2
Theraflu $3/2
Theraflu $2 Multisymptom
Tiaminic $1
Tiaminic $3/2
White Castle $0.50
White Castle $1
Hiss Bros $0.55
Neosporin $3
HeluvaGood Dip $0.75
Blistex $0.35
People $1
Hiland $0.50/3 yogurt
Hiland $.50/2 sour cream or dip
Hiland $.50/2 half gallon Orange or Apple juice
Hiland $1 YoPhoria Smoothies
Bausch + Lomb $4
Reynolds Slow Cooler Liners $1
Olive Garden $2/2 Lunch
Olive Garden $4/2 Dinner
Harbor Freight Coupons

Plus there is a Dillons add for some good price comps.
Hamburger Helper 10/$10
Banquet Brown & Serve Sausage 10/$10
(use $0.25 coupon from inside previous Banquet dinners) = $0.75 Each

KRE-O Create It Transformers MONEY MAKER

Grabbed a sweet deal on a Lego type building toy for the boys today! I have to admit most of the HASBRO coupons were pretty lame. Most of the toys were really expensive but this one was SWEET!

Did print the Hasbro coupons like I told you to?? I hope so!! :)

Hasbro KRE-O Transformers Optimus-Prime
90pc Set at Walmart $7.97
Use $8 off Hasbro KRE-O Transformers Optimus-Prime coupon
Total $0.03 MONEY MAKER!

I bought 4 of these for my boys. Total before coupons $31.97. Total AFTER coupons was $0.12 MONEY MAKER!  They are also great to save back for unexpected birthday gifts, Easter Baskets, rewards, just because or even to donate.

This would also be a GREAT learning activity to do with your young boys. Teach them that their allowance can go much farther using coupons for cool stuff! 

NOTE: The coupon seems to be gone so I hope you printed it when I told you to. :) I have a pretty excited 10 year old son right now. It's his reward for putting up with all my coupon shopping. haha.

Going Out This Weekend? Restaraunt Coupons!

Are you going out this weekend. If so be sure to bring some coupons with you. Here's some restaurant coupons..

• Long John Silvers ( My Mom's Favorite) CLICK HERE! Nine great coupons! 
• KFC- They always have great coupons! CLICK HERE
• TGI Fridays $5 off coupon CLICK HERE
• Chuck E Cheese. lots of great coupons. Plus play games online to earn tickets! CLICK HERE
• Incredible Pizza. Specials plus sign up for great coupons CLICK HERE
• Chili's Sign up and get a FREE chips and queso (love their chips and queso!) CLICK HERE

Have a Great Weekend. Spend time with your family for LESS!

$143 Worth Of Coupons for Toys & Games!!!

Just Ran across some AMAZING coupons for kids toys and board game! Stock up now for Birthdays, Easter, Family Game Nights and more! 

Coupons include Star Wars, Monopoly, Scrabble, Connect 4, Sesame Street, Baby Alive, Nerf,  Playskool and more!

$143 In Coupons from Hasbro!!

This Week At Dollar General + $5 Coupon!

First a couple cool announcements about Dollar General. First like I told you in my last post Dollar General now has online shopping! If that wasn't cool enough Dollar General now has an online photo center! Lots of neat products like photo books, canvas and more. Check it out.

Also there is a $5 off coupon available to print online. Click Here. Coupon is good for Saturday 1/21/12 only.

Here's What's on sale this week plus a couple coupon match ups. :)

Prestone Antifreeze on Sale $10 Keep those cars running this winter!

Bengay Reg $5 on Sale $4
Use $2 coupon from Smart Source (was available to print last week online)
Total after sale and coupons $2

Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil on Sale $3
use $1 off coupon from www.coupons.com
Total after sale and coupon $2

Glade Lasting Impressions Starter Kit Reg $6

Use $3 off S C Johnson Coupon available HERE

Or use $3 Off coupon available in this weeks Sunday paper

Total $3! Hot Deal!

Glade Plug In's Scented Refill Reg $4
Use $1.50 coupon HERE
Or use $1.50 off coupon available in this weeks Sunday paper
Total $2.50

Zip Lock Freezer or Storage Bags
On Sale 2/$5
Use $1 off 2 coupon from this weeks Sunday paper
Total after sale and coupon $2 each

Windex
On Sale 2/5
Use $1 off 2 coupon from this weeks Sunday paper
Total $2 each

Shout Laundry Stain Remover reg $2.50
Use $0.55 coupon from this weeks Sunday paper
Total $1.95

Pledge 2/$7
use $1 off 2 coupon from this weeks Sunday paper
Total $3 each

Scrubbing Bubbles $2/$5
use $1 off 2 coupon from this weeks Sunday paper
Total $2 each

Select Christmas Items 70% off

Country Mart 10% Sale

10% Off All Best Choice and Always Save Products 

Thursday * Friday * Saturday

Country Mart and Town & Country stores are having a store wide sale today, tomorrow and Saturday. All Best Choice AND Always Save Products are 10% off!

Great time to grab a few things that do not normally go on sale.

Help Wanted

I know times are hard, that's why you are here to read my blog and save money. Jobs are also few and far between. I've noticed a few Help Wanted signs in the area and thought I would share them with you in case you or a loved one is in need of employment.

• Hayloft- Mtn.Grove
• Oriental Hut- Mtn.Grove (Aren't they always)
• Subway- Cabool

Together we can make a difference!

Couponing Vs Hoarding

I often hear a lot of talk about couponers being hoarders. While this could be true it doesn't always have to be. Those of you who were able to come to my couponing class know that I keep a small but well stocked stockpile of things. These things are kept all in one location in a small closet. If you keep things all over the house, you are going to lose them. If you do not organize things according to expiration dates, you are going to waste them.

I do often purchase items that I do not need, due to the fact they were free or money makers. These products do not stay in my home long. I find others who can benefit from these products and bless them with them. I do not need a years supply of stool softeners, but someone who has stomach problems can really benefit from them. There is no use for me to clutter up my home with things I do not need.

Try to focus on things you do need and stock up on a few. You do not need to buy 1000 boxes of cereal even if it's free unless you plan to give it away. The trick is to supply your family for 3-6 months until the next sale cycle comes around. Products go on sale on the time. Buy extra so you never have to pay full price, but don't buy junk you don't need.

Like I said in the beginning. Make sure you have room for everything you purchase. It drives me crazy to see parents on the TLC Extreme Couponing that are using their children's bedrooms as storage. You can do a lot with a little space. You just have to get creative.

Happy Shopping and remember to bless others!

Week 3 Results

Missing one Pizza (consumed by my hubby and children and one Scotch Des. wipes gave to my brother)

This week I mainly did grocery shopping. Totals are always a little higher on groceries than on other things, but that's okay. We still have to eat and we want to do it for as little as possible! Some of the items pictured are from an earlier shopping trip that I blogged about for grocery coupons.

Here's how it went:

Country Mart

(8)Canned Vegetables on sale $0.38
Usually buy at Walmart for $0.82
Saved $3.54

(4) Chicken Noodle Soup on sale for $0.49
Orig Price $0.79
Used $1 off 4
savings of  $2.20

Walmart

(4) Digiorno Pizza's Reg $5.98 on sale for $5
Used $3 off 2 coupon
Savings of  $9.92!

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. Reg $1.98
used $0.50 off 2
Saved $0.50

(3)Classico Spag sauce Reg $2.26
used coupon making it FREE
Saved $6.79

Roman Meal Bread Reg $2.18
used $1 off coupon
Saved $1

(2) Kikkoman sauce reg $1.78
used $1 off coupon
Saved $2

(2) Frozen burritos Reg $2.98
used $1 off coupon
Saved $2

 (4) Ky Reg $2.84
coupon for $3
Saved $12 (total of $0.64 Money Maker!)

White Cloud Toilet Paper Reg $5. 97
used $2 off coupon
Saved $2

(4) Scotch Bright Disinfecting wipes Reg $2.48
Used buy one get one free
Saved  $4.96

Pampers Baby Wipes Reg $1.97
Used $0.50 coupon
Saved $0.50

Always Liners Reg $0.93
used $1 off coupon
Saved $1 ($0.07 money maker)

Free Mail Samples:
Olay Bars Reg $3.97
FREE
Saved $3.97

Other Coupons used this week:
Free McDonald's  Small Fries
Saved $1


Totals:
Total Before sales and coupons: $91.20
My Cost:  $37.87! 
Total Saved:  $53.33


Total Saved This Year: $137.14

My Fitness Pal

How many of you out there have New Years Resolutions? How many of them involve getting in shape? Fitness routines, gym memberships, exercise equipment, and so on can be expensive! One thing I use is My Fitness Pal. It is super helpful, has great information and best of all it's FREE!

So what does it do?

• Helps you set goals by giving you a calorie plan to your lifestyle
• Personalized settings
• Track Calories- thousands of foods listed or make your own
• Track Exercise
• Track your water intake
• BMI and BMR calculators
• Mobil Aps
• Tickers and badges to apply to facebook/blogs...
• Forum 
• Private messages and friends list to help keep you motivated
• Projected wight loss (My favorite thing & pretty accurate!) 
• And it's all FREE!!

 See for yourself at www.myfitnesspal.com

Hot Deal On Digiorno

If you happen to be in Walmart this week you might have noticed a pad of coupons on the freezer door in the frozen coupon section. Or if you came to my coupon class I had a few to give away. Either way DiGiorno is on sale this week. Combine that with our coupon and it's a great buy. Final total is less than the cost of the generic brand, which is always awesome!

The BEST price wise place to do this deal is at Walmart. Here's How..

Walmart
DiGiorno Pizza on Rollback $4.98
use coupon for $3 off 2 ~ This means that you will get $1.50 off each
Final total $3.48

Town & Country / Country Mart / Richards Brothers
DiGiorno Pizza 
2/$10.
Coupon $3 off 2 ~ This means that you will get $1.50 off each
Making Each Pizza $3.50!

Great Deal for DiGiorno!

Good Deals week of Jan 11-17

I know this is late. Sorry! Due to my two boys being sick, an exciting coupon class and the fact that I had to go round up shopper ads because I didn't receive mine in the mail... all adds up to the weekly deals being a little late.

The good news is that there are still some great deals out there this week!

Country Mart

Best Choice Vegetables $0.38! 

I try to grab a few extra when I get them cheap!  

Banquet Family Size Entrees 2/$4
Use $0.75 coupon located inside Banquet dinners that were on sale last week
Final Total  $1.25 

Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup
$0.49 
(Flu season is upon us! Grab a couple extra cans!)


Best Choice Tomato Sauce
4/$1
Great price to stock up on for chili 


DiGiorno Pizza 
2/$10
Coupons available in store (or gave out at my coupon class) located on the door of the pizza freezer.
Coupon $3 off 2
Making Each Pizza $3.50! Cheaper than the Off Brand! 

Totino's Pizza
4/$5
Use $1 off 5 coupon from www.smartsource.com
final price $1.05 each


Best Choice Flour Tortias 
5/$5


Frito Lay Snacks
3/$5




Richard Brothers

Prego Pasta Sauce
2/$4


Huggies Baby Wipes
$1.50


DiGiorno Pizza 
2/$10
Coupons available in store (or gave out at my coupon class) located on the door of the pizza freezer.
Coupon $3 off 2
Making Each Pizza $3.50! Cheaper than the Off Brand! 


Happy Shopping. What great deals did you find this week?
 

Pixel Of Ink

Have a Kindle, Nook, Ipad or other Tablet? Love to Read? If so Pixel of Ink is for you. I absolutely love it! Pixel of Ink posts up to date information on Free or really cheap books to download. Each day they post new books. POI has a website and a Facebook. I prefer the Facebook page. Either way it is great. I have tons of books downloaded and I haven't spent a cent!

Also be sure to check out Pixel Of Ink young readers for all your younger reads. 

Pixel Of Ink
Pixel Of Ink on Facebook

Video's Coming Soon

Big Announcement! Coming soon to The Cozy Coupon will be coupon lessons via video. I have so many wonderful friends who I would love to share my couponing information with that live far away. :( Several have been asking for videos. So keep watching because I hope to have one completed soon!

$10 Brita Rebate! ~ GONE

Brita rebate is back! I bought a Brita a few months ago during this promotion. I actually made money on mine because I combined a coupon and submitted a rebate. I can't find any coupons on the market, but they do occasionally show up in different magazines. $10 rebate is good on any pitcher or faucet mount. Took several weeks to get mine, but I did get it!

Click here for $10 Rebate  GONE LIMIT REACHED

All You Magazine

All You magazine is a fantastic place to get great coupons. It's the only magazine that I buy on a regular basis that pays for itself! This magazine can actually make you money! In addition to great coupons All you has wonderful articles, recipes and tips. Magazine cost around $2.50 but is worth every penny.

Also don't forget to check out www.allyou.com. They have daily samples and lots of neat tips.

Grocery Coupons

Coupons for everyday groceries can be harder to come by. The trick is to know when you are getting a good deal. Rarely do I score 100% free products on everyday grocery items, although it does happen. Coupons for grocery items just doesn't seem to be as big as they are for other items. That being said I'm going to show you a couple great deals I got.

Note: I forgot to include the burritos in the photo and when I noticed my camera was dead. So, I included a stock photo.

* DiGiorno Pizza- Reg $5.98, bought on sale for $4.98 and used a $3 off 2 coupon found inside the supermarket near the pizzas. Making each pizza $3.48 for a total savings of $4 for 2

* Classico Spag sauce Reg $2.26 used another coupon found on the item at the store making it FREE!!

* Roman Meal Bread, my hubby's favorite bread! Reg $2.18 used $1 off coupon from 
www.smartsource.com making it $1.18

*Pillsbury Crescent Rolls- My family loves these. Reg $1.98 used $0.50 off 2 from www.smartsource.com making them $1.73 each

*Kikkoman teriyaki sauce reg $2.08 used $1 off coupon from www.smartsource.com

*Frozen burritos- My son loves to eat these as a snack after school. $2.98 used $1 off coupon from www.smartsource.com

Grand total before coupons: $29.94
Total after sales and coupons:  $14.66
Total Savings $15.28
(Less than half of my original total)

Total savings so far this year: $99.09

Cashier Profiling

Call me crazy, but I cashier profile. I'm not kidding. Not all cashiers are created equal! There are two things to look for in a cashier...

1. Young
2. Male

Yep, that's pretty much it. Young, male cashiers are so much less hassle than old grouchy cashiers. I never try to use a coupon for a product that won't work (watch for an upcoming article on coupon fraud) Everything I get is perfectly valid, legal and within that stores coupon policy. However I have had to face off with a cashier a time or two. Once I had a cashier tell me "I wish they would just stick all these coupons up their rear!" I just smiled politely and then walked my happy self up to the service desk and asked to speak to the manager. Needless to say he was pretty hot about the situation.

The point is always look for the cashier that is going to be the most friendly and helpful. Otherwise you might be standing in a line with an old hag squinting through her glasses to read the fine print on each coupon, all while your toddler is trying to bail out of the cart and spin the rack with the bags, yes, it's happened!

Three Hot Enfamil Coupons including $10

 

I told you a few days ago about a great $5 coupon for Enfamil. Well, now there are three and this time it's $10 coupon off any 22oz or larger! Print it now before it's gone! www.coupons.com

Week 2 Results

I will try to post my results of the previous week on Tuesdays. Our local ads come out on Wednesday. This way you have a chance to snag a great deal that you may not have seen earlier.

Here is everything I bought using coupons and store ads this week. Can you tell my boys LOVE Krabby Patties?. These will last us awhile. Also the KY was a great moneymaker this week, but my hubby wouldn't even check out with me when I bought them. haha.

 

 

NOTE Not Pictured were 4 20oz Orange Crush bottles that hubby put to good use this week. 

Everything was bought using coupons with the exception of the Krabby Patties: On clearance for $0.25 a box! and the Banquet TV dinners which were on sale for $0.79 

Total Retail: $60.99 

My Cost: $15.44

Total Savings: $45.55

Total Savings this year:  $83.81

CountryMart and Richard Brothers Coupon Policy

There are a lot of questions about store policy and double coupons. I've spoken to managers at both of our local grocery stores and here is what they have to say about their coupon policies:

• Accepts all manufacturer coupons
• Doubles coupons $0.50 and under unless marked Do Not Double
• Accepts internet printed coupons as long as they scan. Coupons cannot be entered in manually. 
• Accepts coupons on sale and clearance items. 

Neat thing to note about Country Mart is that they have a basket up front with clearance items. Sometimes there are some great deals to be found. Country Mart is also known for their great Gas Card promotions and stamp collection promotions to earn bake-ware, Tupperware... 

• Accepts all manufacturer coupons
• Doubles coupons $0.49 and under unless marked Do Not Double.
• Coupon must be under $0.49 to double which means no $0.50 coupons
• Accepts manufacture internet printed coupons as long as they scan. Coupons will not be entered in manually. When I asked I was told "Well, as long as they aren't fake" (rolling eyes)
• Accepts coupons on sale items. 

Richard Brothers also participates in the stamp collection promotions to earn free products. 

Hope this helps clear things up. Happy Shopping!

$35 in coupons for a clean and Cozy home!

P&G coupons are some of my favorite coupon books to get. They always have great coupons for great products. You can sign up for this book each quarter. This is a free book that contains $35 worth of coupons. Request yours today!

Gather Together Booklet

This Week's Sunday Paper

A question I am often asked is where I get my coupons? One place to get coupons is from the Sunday Newspaper. The only problem is that buying the Springfield News Leader outside of Springfield often leads to much fewer coupons! It can be very frustrating. To be honest unless you are buying the newspaper to read most weeks it isn't worth spending the $2 for the paper. There are plenty other coupons to print online or get elsewhere. It's a good idea to check before you buy.

All this being said... THIS WEEK WAS GREAT! This is a good week to pick up a Sunday paper! This week's paper included 4 inserts! There were 2 SmartSource, a Red Plum and a General Mills. Papers bought in Springfield had 5, but hey at least we got 4 this week!

If you weren't able to pick up a paper today, don't worry. Some of the coupons that come in the paper are available on the inserts websites. Check out...

www.smartsource.com
www.redplum.com
www.generalmills.com

Be sure to stay  check back as I will be posting a new tab at the top of the screen (next to Home and Where To Start) listing all the great places to get coupons!

Coupons for Military Families

Military families stationed oversees can use manufacturer coupons for up to six months past their expiration date. Donating your old coupons to military families is a great way to say thank you for their service. So before you throw out all those expired coupons think about donating them to someone who can really use them.

My friend Kayla Vandiver collects coupons to send to military families. You can drop off your coupons at Super Lube in Mtn.Grove and she will take care of the rest. Thanks Kayla for doing this!

Baby Deals

I know many of you readers have small children and children are expensive! Here are a few deals buzzing around the coupon world this week to help you save money.

$2 Off Pull-ups www.pull-ups.com

$10 off Vicks Behind the Ear thermometer www.coupons.com
$5 Off Enfamil www.coupons.com
$1 off Disney Vitamins www.coupons.com
Buy One Get one Free Play Doh www.coupons.com
$3 off 2 Baby Alive refill packs www.coupons.com
$1 off Similac  www.coupons.com

$1 off Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion www.smartsource.com
$1 Off Desitin www.smartsource.com

Hussies Baby Wipes on Sale at Richard Brothers $1.69

Buy One Get One Free Play Doh

 www.coupons.com 

Neat coupon available for Buy one Get One Free Play Doh. Would be a great idea to pick some up and save back for Easter baskets or a fun indoor activity once we run out of this beautiful weather we've been having.

This Week At Dollar General Now -Jan 8

This week at Dollar General:

• Christmas Items 50% off. Was slightly disappointed it wasn't lower! 
• 33% off all Blue Dot Fall and Winter Family Apparel. Includes cute kids clothes and camo!
• Buy 2 Get one free.. Lays, Doritos, and Salsa
• Angel Soft Toilet Paper $6
• Degree Twin Packs $4 
• Several others but these were the best that I saw. 

Don't forget to check out the clearance aisles for last chance items.

Shopping at Dollar General

How to get the best deals at Dollar General.

I love shopping at our local Dollar General stores. For one the managers and cashiers are always so friendly, two their prices are often much lower and three they accept coupons! Not only do they accept coupons I rarely have a problem using them like I do at a few larger stores. Sometimes at the larger stores the cashier looks at me like I'm wasting her time. This has never happened to me at Dollar General!

Here is a couple things to know about Dollar General's Coupon Policy.. 

• They accept all manufacturer coupons.
• They accept online printed coupons
• They do NOT double any coupon
• You may use any coupon with an their advertised sale prices
• You may use coupons on clearance items

Also watch your receipt at Dollar General! There will often print a $5 coupon on the bottom of your receipt that is normally good for the following Saturday only. This is a great time to buy a bigger item. Also occasionally on your receipt will be a number for a survey. Take a couple minuets and call it in. It's real easy, you can win cool stuff, and it helps your local store.

Dollar General now offers online shopping. This is a handy feature for anyone who wants items in bulk or does not live near a Dollar General store.

Sale dates run Sunday to Sunday unlike most of our local stores that run with the News Journal Wednesday to Wednesday.

Stay tuned I will be posting Dollar Generals best deals of the week next.

Beginer Shopping Trip

Hey all you beginners to couponing. I'm going to post a super easy shopping trip that you can score some cool deals.. Here it goes..

We will start off slow with just three coupons..

First Print off these coupons:

Buy one Get one Free Orange Crush from coupons.com
$1.00 off any Reach Dental Floss from Smartsource.com
$1.50 off and Johnson & Johnson first aid product from Smartsource.com

Next At Walmart pick up..

 2 bottles of Orange Crush for $1.48 each
1 container of Reach Dental floss for $0.97
1 package of 10 J&& Gauze Pads for $1.56

Check out and give your coupons to the cashier.

Total: Before Tax
Orange Crush $1.48
Orange Crush FREE
Dental Floss. $0.97- $1.00 coupon is $.03 MONEY MAKER
Gauze Pads $1.56- $1.50 coupon making it $0.6

Grand total Before Coupons: $5.49
Grand Total AFTER coupons $1.51
for a savings of $3.98!

You can do this! 

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BOGO Orange Crush

HOT coupon available right now for BOGO (Buy one get one FREE) on Orange Crush.

I LOVE Orange crush. I picked up 4 of these today!

Orange Crush $1.48 at Walmart

Use BOGO coupon Coupons.com

$0.74 each
HOT Deal!

Good Deals week of Jan 4 - Jan 10

Each week I will try to post the best deals from our local grocery stores. This way you will know what's a good deal and what really isn't.

CountryMart / Town & Country

Folgers Coffee
$6.88
Dad says this is a good deal. I don't drink coffee.

Huggies Baby Wipes
$1.69

Post Cereal
5/$10

Several Meat items
Pork roast, pork steaks..
$1.69 lb

PICK 5 For $25
This is always a good deal but watch for sales of the same items. Sometimes it's not the better deal!

Don't forget about the Duncan Hines Bakeware promotion. It ends Jan 16th. Get those cards used up!

Richards Brothers:

Banquet TV dinners

$0.79
Hot Deal

Always Save Bath Tissue
$0.88

Always Save Macaroni and Cheese
3/$1

Walmart

Christmas stuff 75% off
This deal was going on yesterday in Springfield. I'll check our local one today. 

Don't forget to price comp at Walmart


Check your coupons. Coupons are good on all sale prices if you have any. Happy Shopping!

Week 1

It is my goal this year to keep track of the amount of savings I earn. Each week I will post the deals I scored that week. I will also be posting a running total of my savings this year, just for fun. :)

Week 1:

Week 1 Deals. Photo is missing 1 bag of chicken. It happened to be part of last nights dinner. 

This week I was blessed with the oppotunity to make it to Springfield to shop at one of my favorite stores, Target!

Here is how my week broke down..


Price After Coupons

TARGET
3 Olay Soap  FREE
2 Target Brand Dryer sheets $0.35 each

Total: $0.68 (soap was a small money maker)

Walmart

4 Chicken Price comp $3.99 (I LOVE this deal) saves me at least $3-$4 a bag!
Bleach $0.48
Ducolax $1 MM (Money Maker!)
Rayovac Batteries FREE
2 Crest $0.25
2 Orab B $0.14
Cascade $0.72
2 Krabby Patties $0.25
Kisses $0.50
2 Bulbs $0.25
3 Stockings $0.24

Total: $19.04 ($15.96 for chicken + $3.08 misc)


So my Total Retail was...$58.98
Total After Savings .. $19.72
Total Saved.. $38.26

Year To Date Savings $38.26

Note: My totals will vary a little. For example the soap at Target was a slight money maker so my total after tax was $0.68. I couldn't find my receipt to know exactly how much tax was. Some totals will be before tax and some others. Will not make a significant difference in the big picture. Just wanted to inform any of you who might be checking my math. lol.

Welcome to The Cozy Coupon

Probably the hardest part of blogging is thinking up a name. After many failed attempts, and insisting to my husband that I was NOT going to name it "Cheap and Easy" Jacob came up with the title The Cozy Coupon. I wasn't sure at first, but it's growing on me.

So why blog? First and foremost to share. I truly believe God gave me this talent when we needed money the most. Times are hard for everyone these days. There are a lot of coupon blogs out there, but unfortunately I don't live in an area where we have a Walgreens, Albertsons, Target or Kroger! The nearest town with a grocery store has a Walmart, Dollar General, CountryMart, and Richard Brothers. I'll be posting the local deals of the week along with coupon match-ups. I will also from time to time post deals that are available at the bigger name stores for those of you that are able to get to them.

 I'm not trying to be anyone else. I'm just me, trying to help my friends save money. I hope you enjoy this blog and the deals posted here.